President of The Custom Companies, Inc., Perry Mandera is an innovator in the transportation sector who brings more than three decades of experience to his work with the Illinois-based company. Since its founding in 1986, the work of Perry Mandera and his team has grown the firm to the point where it now achieves more than $200 million in annual sales.

To facilitate this growth, the company has invested in technological enhancements to serve clients, including its web services, which have been created in accordance with feedback the company has received from its customers.

Technologies built into its website allow customers to track and trace deliveries in real time, in addition to an analytics package that includes more comprehensive details relating to shipments, such as destinations and time period requests. The site also offers the ability to download customized reports, make bill of lading requests and receive quotes for the company’s services.

​A veteran business executive, Perry Mandera leverages more than 30 years of experience to the benefit of The Custom Companies, Inc., a transportation company he serves as president. Prior to establishing his reputation in business, Perry Mandera served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, where he attained the rank of private first class before receiving his honorable discharge in 1979.

New recruits to the Marines are expected to undertake the Initial Strength Test (IST), which is made up of three components.

1. Pull-Ups. Recruits can mount the bar with their hands facing toward or away from them; however, they are not allowed raise their legs above the waist. A repetition is completed by bending the arms and pulling up until the chin goes above the bar, then lowering until arms are straight. Recruits are required to complete two repetitions at minimum.

2. Crunches. The recruit lies on his or her back with feet planted on the ground and knees flexed. The arms are crossed on the chest, with no gap allowed between chest and forearm. The upper body must then be raised a minimum of 44 times in two minutes, with the recruits’ forearms touching their thighs each time.

3. Timed Run. Male recruits are expected to complete a 1.5-mile run in 13:30, while female recruits are granted 15 minutes.

A dedicated contributor to his community, The Custom Companies’ leader Perry Mandera maintains an active involvement in a broad array of charitable activities. Perry Mandera is responsible for launching a charitable arm of his company under the name Custom Care Charities.

Custom Care Charities operates with a focus on giving back to the community and the concepts of “paying it forward” and doing the right thing for others. Its efforts support community and nonprofit entities with goals that align with the Custom Care mission, in addition to individuals in need. The list of charities and beneficiaries includes many that provide services or assistance to abused, disadvantaged, or underprivileged children. Furthermore, Custom Care handles a variety of charitable endeavors during the winter holiday season, such as toy drives and fundraisers.

The organization supports 42 nonprofits in total, such as the Arthritis Foundation, the Avon Breast Cancer Walk, Special Olympics, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Organizations benefitting children that Custom Care supports include the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.